“Mikel is extraordinary,” Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said after the quarter-final victory.
“He possesses so many qualities. He is the kind of player who, throughout this entire World Cup, could have shone in any side.
“For us he personifies this philosophy, this style of play. Having him is a joy — alongside others, but particularly him. We know he is always there without question.”
Reliable as he may be, Merino himself worried he would not be in good enough physical condition for this World Cup.
“Just a few months ago, being here was unimaginable,” Merino said after the victory over Portugal.
“Now, as I said before, I am at the very peak, savouring one of the most joyful spells of my career.
“Now I recall all the difficult moments, all those who supported me, all those who pushed me forward when even I sometimes found it hard to believe I could be here.”
Arsenal supporters will be familiar with Merino’s dramatic interventions, as the 30-year-old has delivered similar moments for the club.
Although typically a midfielder, his physical presence led Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to use him as a forward, and the first time he was deployed in that role he came off the bench and scored twice in a memorable 2-0 win over Leicester last February.
“Merino is simply one of those players who turns up at just the right instant in major matches,” former England striker Wayne Rooney said during a football highlights programme.
De la Fuente continued: “He can be the finest striker and the finest midfielder thanks to his reading of the game. He interprets it perfectly.
“He is committed, selfless, and always willing to put in the effort.”
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
